In a cowardly move, Governor Beverly Perdue allowed a bill to pass into law that is ridiculous, to say the least. This law states that for the next four years, contractors may ignore any projections for future sea levels that indicate a higher rate of increase than they’ve experienced in the recent past, throwing out all evidence put forth from scientists that the ocean is rising faster than ever before. Governor Beverly Perdue must withdraw this law and allow science to prevail in her state.

In 2010, a team of scientists conducted a $5 million study and concluded that, due to global warming and climate change, sea levels in North Carolina will rise significantly over the rest of the century. This law, House Bill 819, “forbids planners from using any sea level rise projections higher than the rate the state has experienced in the past, completely ignoring the science panel’s findings,” essentially tossing out all the work done by these experts (Haley Mackey, Defenders of Wildlife). This allows contractors to build nearer to the Atlantic coast, where structures may be in danger of flooding in the near future.

This law persists due to heavy lobbying from contractors, stemming from the desire to boost the economy by developing along the coast. The tragic irony here lies in the fact that the cost of repairing damages from floods to due the rising of the sea level will cost the North Carolinian government far more than they could ever gain from any building venture. Governor Beverly Purdue needs to seriously reconsider the long term effects her decision will have on her state and retract House Bill 819.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Governor Beverly Perdue,

Recently you chose not to veto House Bill 819, in favor of the desires of lobbyists from the construction industry. This ridiculous bill blatantly ignores scientific evidence, and puts any coastal developments in danger due to imminent sea level rise. I urge you to seriously reconsider your actions and retract House Bill 819.

There is no question of the reality of global warming. There are hundreds of studies that prove that the earth is getting warmer. Choosing to ignore these facts in favor of short-term benefits is simply irresponsible. The time has come for people to be accountable for their actions and prepare for the future. Retract House Bill 819 and protect your state from damage from global warming.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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